This 592-page spiral-bound reference provides a baseline of information for all those involved with managing living marine resources in California and chronicles changes that have occurred in many of the state’s fisheries. Organized by marine ecosystems: bays and estuaries, nearshore and offshore. Includes illustrated species descriptions with details of biological knowledge, fishery history, landings data, population status and references. Also includes sections on marine birds and mammals and appendices containing management considerations (by species), a glossary of technical terms and acronyms and fishing gear illustrations. Jointly produced by the California Sea Grant Extension Program and the California Department of Fish and Game following the passage of the Marine Life Protection Act in January 1999.

“A masterful accomplishment—Allen, Pondella and Horn have assembled a talented team of experts who produce authoritative, up-to-date accounts. This book will be used as the primary text in many fish biology courses and as a valuable reference elsewhere. Here is a wealth of data waiting to be mined by legions of graduate students as they generate the new ideas that will motivate marine ecology for years.”—Peter Sale, Editor of Coral Reef Fishes: Dynamics and Diversity in a Complex Ecosystem "A copiously illustrated and comprehensive interpretation of the past, present, and future state of over 500 species of fishes in Californian waters. A compilation of virtually all the many important studies on the ecology of California marine fishes."—Bruce B. Collette, National Marine Fisheries Service and co-author of The Diversity of Fishes